X-Pact Thermo-Mechanical Rolling

The thermo-mechanical rolling process significantly improves plate properties in terms of strength, toughness, weldability and workability.

For this purpose, the rolling process is divided into different temperature and reduction ranges. Our X-Pact^® Thermo-Mechanical Rolling ensures multiple plates are rolled nested in a batch to maximize productivity.

Optimized mill usage during cooling phases of thermo-mechanical rolling
Increasing of productivity
Reducing of expensive alloys

Production of micro-alloyed high strength steel with higher ductility requirements
Stable reproducible thermo-mechanical rolling process
Better thermo-mechanical production rate with sophisticated staggering of plates in the mill area
Increase operation time
Increases productivity with multiple plate rolling
Reduces the use of expensive alloys
Generates reproducible plate properties

New function enabling dynamic batching of non‑similar products

Our advanced Batch Scheduler Module optimizes the multiple plate rolling by grouping products in the furnace into the most productive rolling sequence. It supports multiple rolling modes for similar products while enabling dynamic batching of non‑similar products. It computes the optimal discharge (pacing) times, and adapts rolling sequences in real time to disturbances - without cancelling the active batch or altering plate properties.

Control station of a heavy plate mill
Batch rolling modes

Static batch: In the static batch, other similar plates are rolled in the TM break of the first plate in a group. After that, all the plates are moved back together through the mill stand and then all are finish-rolled, starting with the first plate. The static batch productivity is very high.

Conti batch: In the conti batch, the plates are nested in such a way that the number of sheets in the batch is always constant. One plate is always added to the batch after a previous plate has been finish-rolled. Only similar products can be scheduled as conti batch. The reproducibility of the continuous batch is very high because the furnace discharge times are always constant.

Dynamic batch: In the dynamic batch, there is free, highly flexible rolling planning for a wide variety of plates and rolling modes with the aim of maximizing throughput
Reproducible plate properties

Our X-Pact^® automation system ensures a reproducible plate properties and leads to a reduction of costs for testing the sheet metal qualities. This ensures less material loss and failure rates.